Question SSD Slot missing the M Key - How to upgrade SSD? (Dell XPS-13-9305)

[samJones3]

I am trying to find a replacement SSD for an XPS-13-9305

Below is a picture of the current SSD. Note it is missing the small finger on the connector - This is called the M key, if I understand. The slot in the laptop is also missing a place for this. (The connector portion is there, but it is full of a white thing blocking entry)

I purchased a Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe M.2 but it does not work, as it has the M key and will not go into the blocked connector.

What is the name of the SSD I am looking for? (I would like to get a Samsung 970 or 980)

https://imgur.com/a/MJHrK0Y

 

[rgd1101]

https://www.dell.com/community/en/c...73c3?msockid=26a28da718296733389698d319f966b7

Inside Dell XPS 13 9305 - disassembly and upgrade options | LaptopMedia.com

As always, the XPS 13 is not the best notebook in terms of upgrade options. However, it has its own strengths. Check out all Dell XPS 13 9305 prices and configu...

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are you sure you didn't break it off?

if you look at where you have the green arrow, is that part white? like the color of that thing blocking the m.2 slot?

 

[Aeacus]

What is the name of the SSD I am looking for?

What you have, is Western Digital WDC SN730 512GB drive.

M.2 slot variants and pinouts,
link: https://pinoutguide.com/HD/M.2_NGFF_connector_pinout.shtml

but it is full of a white thing blocking entry

Does look like the M-key portion is broken off, whereby the rest of it is stuck inside the M.2 slot. You need some tiny tweezers to pull the broken off part out from the connector (or haul your laptop to PC repair shop and pay the tech to do it for you). Once the broken off piece is removed, you can use any M.2 M-key SSD in place of it (given that the connector doesn't get damaged when removing the broken off piece).

 

[samJones3]

Does look like the M-key portion is broken off, whereby the rest of it is stuck inside the M.2 slot. You need some tiny tweezers to pull the broken off part out from the connector (or haul your laptop to PC repair shop and pay the tech to do it for you). Once the broken off piece is removed, you can use any M.2 M-key SSD in place of it (given that the connector doesn't get damaged when removing the broken off piece).

Wow, good thinking... it's broken off...

Which means I just broke it... But I put it back the way I found it, machine booted up, and I am typing to you on it now...

Does that make sense? (Is it possible?)

 

[Aeacus]

But I put it back the way I found it, machine booted up, and I am typing to you on it now...

Does that make sense? (Is it possible?)

Possible? Yes. Since the clip/screw in the other end of the drive is pushing the M.2 drive into the slot, bridging the cap between broken PCB and making connection again.